Virginia Union University's Franklin Kipchirchir won the men's individual championship at the 2024 CIAA Cross-Country Championships as he set a championship-record time of 23.58.1 over the eight-kilometer (4.97 miles) course in Salem, Va., on Thursday, October 24.

Kipchirchir was named the CIAA Male Runner of the Year for his performance during his freshman 2024 season.

Kipchirchir's time of 23:56.1 shaved more than 30 seconds off the previous CIAA Championship record of 24.32 set by Andrew Chibi of Winston-Salem State University in 2011.

Collectively, the VUU Men's and Women's teams both finished fifth overall while each had two members earn All-CIAA Honors.

The men's team also earned the High GPA Award for having the highest team grade point average in the CIAA.

On the men's side, VUU's Kipchirchir and Chase Burke finished in the top 15, with Burke placing 13th with a time of 27:22.

On the women's side, VUU's Toni Middlebrooks placed sixth with a time of 19:27 over the five-kilometer course while teammate Abijah Jepkemboi finished eighth with a time of 19:43.

"While both teams finished fifth, the girls showed major improvement from last year's last place finish," said VUU Cross-Country Coach Franck Charles.  "A special shoutout to JaiLyn Johnson for smashing her personal best, going from 26 minutes to an awesome 22:32!.  As we close out the season, keep your fingers crossed for Franklin - we're pushing for him to reach nationals! Let's go, team!"